Vaporizer



March 11, 1958 D. E. LUPFER- ETAL VAPORIZER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 1954 3.9 INVENTORJ v D. E Lupfer BY 0- M Veuper March 11 1958 D. E. LUPFER ET AL 2 I Y VAPORIZER Filed May 13, 1954 I V 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TORJ flELupfer 4 BY flMVeJpeF H 4P ATTORNEYS D. E. LUPFER ET AL March 11, 1958 VAPORIZER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 1:5, 1954 0. E. $1 3 By B M Vesper A T TQAIVEYS United VAPQRIZER Application May 13, @554, Serial No. 429,463

Claims. (Cl. 122-4) This invention relates to a vaporizer. In another aspect it relates to apparatus for filtering and vaporizing a liquid and regulating the pressure of the resulting vapor.

Various types of instruments have recently been developed for the analysis of fluid streams. These instruments include infrared analyzers, differential refractometers, ultraviolet spectrophotometers and mass spectrometers, for example. In many of these instruments the sample stream being tested must be supplied as a gas at substantially a constant pressure. Since these instruments are frequently employed for the analysis of liquid streams, means must be provided to vaporize the liquid and regulate the pressure of the resulting vapor.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved form of vaporizer and pressure regulator which is contained in a single compact unit. A filter is positioned adjacent the inlet opening to remove any solid particles which may be entrained in the liquid stream. The filtered liquid is allowed to expand through an orifice into one or morechambers which are maintained at an elevated temperature to facilitate vaporization. The resulting vapor is then passed through a pressure regulating valve which is provided with a bleed port to remove vapor in the event of excessive pressure.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved form of liquid vaporizer. Another object is to provide apparatus for filtering and vaporizing liquids and regulating the pressure of the resulting vapor. A further object is to provide a compact unit adapted to filter, vaporize and pressure regulate a fluid.

Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention should become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a fractionating column having the vaporizer of this invention connected between a fluid sample point in the column and an analyzer;

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view of the vaporizer of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a modified form of the vaporizer of Figure 2 which is supplied with an electrical heating element;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the vaporizer of this invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 in Figure 6; and

Figure 9 is a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of this invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and to Figure 1 in particular, there is shown a fractionation column 10 having an inlet conduit 11 which supplies a fluid mixture to be separated. Heat is applied to the lower portion of column 10 by a steam coil 12. A first product stream is removed from .the top of column 10 through a conduit 13, and a second product stream is removed from the bottom of column 10 through a conduit 14. In order to analyze and control the separation process within column 10, a sample stream is removed from a preselected region of the column through a line 16. This sample stream is passed through the vaporizer and pressure regulator 17 which are in heat exchange relation in the present invention and to the inlet port of an analyzer 18 which is provided with a vent line 19. In one embodiment of the vaporizer of this invention, heat is supplied by an inlet steam line 26 and the spent steam is removed through a line 21. It generally is desired that vaporizer 17 be located in close proximity to column 10 to minimize the time delay between the removal of the sample stream and the subsequent analysis. By vaporizing the stream immediately after its withdrawal from column 10, the time delay to the analyzer is kept at a minimum because of the greatly expanded volume of the vaporized sample.

Vaporizer 17 is shown in detail in Figure 2. The sample stream directed through conduit 16 enters the vaporizer through an inlet port 25 in a generally cylindrical filter plate 26. inlet port 25 is connected by a passage 27 with a chamber 28 which is formed between plate 26 and a bottom cap 29 which is secured to plate 26 by a plurality of screws 31. A gasket 32 is interposed between plate 26 andbottom cap 29. Chamber 28 is separated from a second chamber 33 in plate 26 by a disc-shaped filter 34 which is attached to cap 28 by a screw 35. A gasket 36 is interposed between filter 35 and plate 26. Filter 34- can be constructed of any desired material. In one embodiment of this invention excellent results were obtained with a porous stainless steel filter.

Filter plate 26 is attached to a vaporizing plate 38 by a plurality of screws 39. Plate 38 is formed of a heat conductive material. A gasket 4! is interposed between plates 26 and 38. These two plates are separated at their center portions to form a chamber 41 which is in communication with chamber 33 through an orifice 42 in plate 26. A chamber 44 is formed in the upper portion of plate 33. Chamber 44 is connected with chamber 41 by a plurality of spaced passages 45 which extend through plate 38. Plate 38 is provided with an inlet port 47 and an outlet port 48 which are connected by a passage 49. Conduit 20 of Figure 1 is connected to port 47 and conduit 21 is connected to port 58 to direct the passage of steam through passage 49.

A valve plate 50 is mounted above vaporizing plate 38, a gasket 51 being interposed between these two plates. A flexible diaphragm 53 extends across the top of valve plate 50 and an upper cap 54 is mounted thereon. Cap 54 and plate 50 are secured to plate 38 by a plurality of screws 55. A pressure regulating valve generally designated 56 is mounted within plate 50 in a passage between chamber 44 of plate 38 and an outlet port 52 in plate 50. Valve 56 comprises a valve body 57 which is threaded into plate 50 to block this last-mentioned passage. The lower end of valve body 57 forms a valve seat 58 which is engaged by a valve head 59. Valve head 59 is attached to a plunger 60 which is threaded into a cylindrical member 61 which extends through the center of valve body 57. The upper end of member 61 is flanged over a washer 63. A compression spring 65 is interposed between washer 63 and valve body 57 to exert a force on member 61 which tends to seat valve head 59. A plurality of passages 66 are for-med in valve body 57 .to communicate between chamber 44 and an outlet passage 67 which communicates with port 52. A passage 68 communicates between passage 67 and a chamber 69 immediately below diaphragm 53. A diaphragm follower plate 70 rests upon the upper surface of diaphragm 53, and a compression spring 72 extends between diaphragm follower plate 711 and a spring follower 73 which engages an adjusting screw 74 that extends through the top of cap 54. A lock nut 75 is provided on screw 74. A vent plate 76, having a bleed passage 77 therethrough, extends through a central opening in diaphragm 53. The lower surface of plate 76 normally rests upon the upper surface of cylindrical member 61 to prevent fluid from passing between chamber 69 and a chamber 78 immediately above diaphragm 53 through passage 77. A port 79 is provided in upper cap 54 so that chamber 78 is in communication with the surrounding atmosphere. If desired, a conduit can be attached to port 79 to vent the vapor at a region spaced from the vaporizer.

The liquid sample stream removed from column 10 by conduit 16 passes through filter 34- into chamber 33. This liquid then expands through orifice 42 into the chambers thereabove. The resulting vapor passes upwardly through passages 45 into chamber 44. The steam, or other heating fluid, circulated through passage 49 supplies heat for this vaporization. The vapor passes from chamber 44 through pressure regulating valve 56 and is removed through port 52 to analyzer 18, Figure 1. Compression spring 72 initially is adjusted by screw 74 such that the pressure exerted on the upper surface of diaphragm 53 is suificient to retain valve head 59 ofi? valve seat by an amount suflicient to allow the vapor to flow therethrough at a desired rate. It should be observed that the pressure of the vapor downstream from valve 59 is applied to the lower surface of diaphragm 53 through passage 68. If this vapor pressure should tend to increase above the desired value, then the force exerted by this pressure tends to overcome the force of spring 72 to raise plate 76 and thereby seat valve head if the pressure in chamber is still excessive, plate 76 is raised off member 61 to allow vapor in chamber 69 to be vented through passage 77 into chamber 78. If, on the other hand, the pressure in chamber 69 should tend to fall below a desired value, then the combined downward force of spring 72 and the fluid pressure above diaphragm 53 result in member 61 being moved downwardly to open valve 59 an additional amount to increase the pressure in chamber 69. It should be observed that an additional safety feature is provided by this assembly in the small size of orifice 42. If the pressure regulating valve should fail for any reason, the downstream pressure will not rise excessively because of the small size of orifice 42.

In Figure 5 there is shown a modified form of this vaporizer wherein an electrical heating element generally designated 85' is positioned in passage 49. Element 85 is threaded into port 47, and port 48 can be closed with a plug 86 if desired. The operation of this modified vaporizer is the same as the vaporizer of Figure 2 except for the substitution of electrical heat in place of the passage of steam.

In Figures 6, 7 and 8 there is shown a modified form of the filtering and vaporizing portions of the assembly. The upper portion of the assembly, which includes pressure regulating valve 56, is identical to the assembly shown in Figure 2 and corresponding elements are designated by like reference numerals. The liquid sample to be vaporized enters the apparatus through an inlet port 96 contained within a filter plate 91. A bottom cap 92 is attached to filter plate 91 by a plurality of screws 93. A gasket 94 is interposed between the plate 91 and cap 92. Filter plate 91 is provided with a central chamber 95 which communicates with inlet port 90 through a passage 96. A hollow cylindrical filter 97 is positioned in chamber 95 in spaced relation with the inner wall of plate 91. Filter plate 91 is secured to a vaporizing plate 98 by a plurality of screws 99, and plate 98 is in turn secured to upper cap 54 by a plurality of screws 55. A gasket 151 is interposed between plates 91 and 98, and a diaphragm 53 is interposed between plate 98 and cap 54. An annular steam passage 1% is formed in vaporizer plate 98. An inlet port 161 communicates with one side of chamber 1% and an outlet port 102 communicates with the second side of chamber 100. The liquid which enters the vaporizer through port passes upwardly through an orifice 104 in plate 91 into a chamher 165 between plates 91 and 98. A plurality of passages 196 communicate between chamber 105 and a chamber 1117 which is formed in plate 98 immediately below valve 56. The vaporized fluid thus passes upwardly through plate 98 in heat exchange relation with plate 98 which in turn contains steam passage 11. 0. If desired, an electrical heating element such as 85, Figure 5, can be inserted in plate 98 in place of steam chamber 1118'.

In Figure 9 there is shown a second embodiment of the vaporizing and pressure regulating apparatus of this invention. The vaporizing portion of this apparatus is identical to that shown in Figure 2 and corresponding elements are designated by like reference numerals. A valve plate is positioned above vaporizing plate 38 and separated therefrom by a gasket 51. A top plate 121 is positioned above plate 121) and separated therefrom by 'a flexible diaphragm 122. 'Plates 121, 126 and 38 are secured together by a plurality of screws 123. Valve plate 120 is provided with a hollow chamber 125 adjacent diaphragm 122. Chamber 125 communicates with chamber 44 in plate 38 through a passage 126 which forms a valve seat 127 at its lower end. A valve head 128, which can be generally spherical, is positioned to engage valve seat 127. A valve pin 129 extends downwardly from valve head 128 into a recessed portion 130 of plate 33. A compression spring 131 encloses pin 129 and exerts an upward force on valve head 128 which tends to keep the valve head seated. A rod 133 extends upwardly from valve head 128 to engage the lower surface of a diaphragm follower plate 134 which is mounted above diaphragm 122 and extends downwardly through the center portion thereof. A second diaphragm follower plate 135 engages the lower surface of diaphragm 122 and is attached to the extension of plate 134. A chamber 136 is formed in plate 121 above diaphragm 122. A compression spring 137 extends between plate 134 and plate 121 to exert a downward force on diaphragm 122 which tends to unseat valve head 128. Chamber 125 in plate 120 communicates with an outlet port 1463 in top plate 121 through a plurality of connected passages 141, 142, 143, 144 and 145. A pas sage 146 communicates between passage and chamber 136. The cross-sectional area of passage 144 is adjusted by a needle valve assembly generally designated 148. This valve assembly comprises a valve body 149 which is threaded into top plate 121. A needle plug 150 is movable into passage 144 by rotation of an adjusting knob 152.

The vaporized fluid in chamber 44 passes upwardly through passage 126, valve head 123 being unseated by a predetermined amount. The fluid is then transmitted through passages 141, 142, 143, 144 and 145 to outlet port 1449. Needle 150 restricts the cross-sectional area of passage 144 such that there is a pressure drop across this passage which is a function of the velocity of fluid flow and the cross-sectional area of the passage. The latter is adjusted by knob 152. The pressure upstream from passage 143 is applied to the lower side of diaphragm 122, whereas the pressure downstream from passage 144 is applied to the upper side of diaphragm 122. Valve 143 initially is adjusted so that a pressure differential exists whereby valve head 128 is unseated sufficiently to allow the desired rate of flow therethrough. If the rate of fiow should tend to increase, there is a greater pressure drop across passage 144 whereby the pressure differential across diaphragm 122 is such as to move diaphragm 122 and valve head 128 upwardly. This reduces the flow rate through the assembly. If the flow rate should tend to decrease, there is less pressure drop across passage 144 so that diaphragm 122 and valve head 128 are moved downwardly. In this manner the assembly functions to maintain a desired flow rate of the vaporized fluid.

In view of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this invention, it can be seen that there is provided a compact assembly adapted to filter and vaporize liquids and to regulate the pressure of the resulting vapor. While this invention has been described in conjunction with present preferred embodiments, it should be apparent that the invention is not limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for vaporizing liquids comprising, in combination, a first block having a first chamber therein, said first block having a first passage therein extending between said first chamber and a region exterior of said first block, a second block of heat conductive material abutting and secured to said first block at the edges thereof but spaced from said first block at the center to form a second chamber, said first and second chambers communicating through an orifice in said first block having a relatively small predetermined size, said second block having a third chamber therein spaced from second chamber, said second block having a plurality of straightline second passages therein extending between said second and third chambers, a heating passage disposed in said second block adjacent said second and third chambers and adapted to receive heating means, said heating passage disposed in proximity to said second passages whereby heat is applied to fiuid passing through said second passages, conduit means extending between said third chamber and a region exterior of said second block, a pressure regulating valve disposed in said conduit means and controlling flow therethrough, spring biasing means tending to maintain said valve in an open position, and means operatively connected to said valve and responsive to the pressure of the vapor downstream of said valve whereby said valve is moved to a closed position in opposition to said biasing means when the pressure of the vapor downstream of said valve reaches a predetermined value.

2. Apparatus for vaporizing liquids comprising, in combination, a first block having a first chamber therein, said first block having a first passage therein extending between said first chamber and a region exterior of said first block, a second block of heat conductive material abutting and secured to said first block at the edges thereof but spaced from said first block at the center to form a second chamber, said first and second chambers communicating through an orifice in said first block having a relatively small predetermined size, said second block having a third chamber therein spaced from second chamher, said second block having a plurality of straight-line second passages therein extending between said second and third chambers, a heating passage disposed in said second block adjacent said second and third chambers and adapted to receive heating means, said heating passage disposed in proximity to said second passages whereby heat is applied to fluid passing through said second passages, conduit means extending between said third chamber and a region exterior of said second block, a pressure regulating valve disposed in said conduit means and controlling flow therethrough, spring biasing means tending to maintain said valve in an open position, means operatively connected to said valve and responsive to the pressure of the vapor downstream of said valve whereby said valve is moved to a closed position in opposition to said biasing means when the pressure of the vapor downstream of said valve reaches a predetermined value, and safety means associated with said last-mentioned means and adapted to vent vapor downstream of said valve when the pressure of this vapor rises slightly above said predetermined pressure.

3. Apparatus for vaporizing liquids comprising, in cornbination, a first block having a first narrow chamber therein, said first block having a first passage therein extending between said first chamber and the region exterior of said first block, a second block of heat conductive material abutting and bolted to said first block at the edges thereof but spaced from said first block at the center to form a narrow second chamber, said first block having a relatively small orifice of predetermined size therein extending between said first and second chambers, a filter positioned in said first chamber between said first passage and said orifice, said second block having a third chamber therein spaced from said second chamber, said second block having a plurality of straight-line second passages therein extending between said second and third chambers, a heating passage disposed in said second block between said second and third chambers and adapted to receive heating means, said heating passage disposed in proximity to said second passages whereby heat is applied to fluid passing through said second passages, a third block abutting and bolted to said second block adjacent said third chamber, said third block having a third passage therein extending from said third chamber to a region exterior of said third block, a hollow valve body posi tioned in said third passage, said valve body including a valve seat, a valve head, and a valve stem attached to said valve head, a fourth block abutting and bolted to said third block at the edges thereof, a diaphragm positioned between said third and fourth blocks, said third block having a fourth chamber therein adjacent said diaphragm, the upper end of said valve stem extending into said fourth chamber, said fourth block having a fifth chamber therein adjacent said diaphragm, said third passage communicating with said fourth chamber at a point downstream of said valve body, a compression spring disposed in said fifth chamber between said diaphragm and said fourth block, a vent plate having a vent passage therethrough and attached to said diaphragm, the upper end of said valve stem adapted to engage said vent plate and close said vent passage, and a spring urging said valve head into engagement with said valve seat to close said third passage, said fourth and fifth chambers adapted to communicate through said vent passage when said valve stem is out of engagement with said vent plate.

4. Apparatus for vaporizing liquids comprising in combination a first block having a first chamber therein, said first block having a first passage therein extending between said first chamber and a region exterior of said first block, a second block of heat conductive material abutting and bolted to said first block at the edges thereof but spaced from said first block at the center to form a narrow second chamber, said first block having a relatively small orifice of predetermined size therein extending between said first and second chambers, a filter positioned in said first chamber between said first passage and said orifice, said secand block having a third chamber therein spaced from said second chamber, said second block having a plurality of straight-line second passages therein extending between said second and third chambers, a heating passage disposed in said second block adjacent said second and third chambers and adapted to receive heating means, said heating passage disposed in proximity to said second passages whereby heat is applied to fluid passing through said second passages, said second block having a third passage therein extending from said third chamber to a region exterior of said second block, a hollow valve body positioned in said third passage, said valve body including a valve seat, a valve head, and a valve stem connected to said valve head, a spring urging said valve head into an engagement with said valve seat, a third block abutting and bolted to said second block at the edges thereof, a diaphragm positioned between said second and third blocks, said second block having a fourth chamber therein adjacent said diaphragm, the upper end of said valve stem extending into said fourth chamber, said third block having a fifth chamber therein adjacent said diaphragm, said third passage communicating with said fourth chamber at a point downstream of said valve body, a compression spring disposed in said fifth chamber between said diaphragm and said third block and a vent plate having a vent passage therethrough and attached to said diaphragm, the upper end of said valve stem adapted to engage said vent plate to close said vent passage, said fourth and fifth chambers adapted to communicate through said vent passage when said valve stem is out of engagement with said vent plate.

5. Apparatus for vaporizing liquids comprising, in combination, a first block having a narrow first chamber therein, said first block having a first passage therein extending between said first chamber and a region exterior of said first block, a second block of heat conductive material abutting and bolted to said first block at the edges thereof but spaced from said first block at the center to form a narrow second chamber, said first block having relatively small predetermined size therein extending between said first and second chambers, a filter positioned in said first chamber between said first passage and said orifice, said second block having a third chamber therein spaced from said second chamber, said second block having a plurality of straight-line second passages therein ex tending between said second and third chambers, a heating passage disposed in said second block between said second and third chambers and adapted to receive heating means, said heating passage disposed in proximity to said second passages whereby heat is applied to fluid passing through said second passages, a third block abutting and bolted to said second block at the edges thereof adjacent said third chamber, a fourth block abutting and bolted to said third block at the edges thereof, a dia phragm positioned between said third and fourth blocks, said third block having a fourth chamber therein adjacent said diaphragm, said fourth block having a fifth chamber therein adjacent said diaphragm, a compression spring disposed in said fifth chamber between said diaphragm and said fourth block, a third passage defined in part by a valve seat and extending between said third and fourth chambers, a valve head engageable with said valve seat, a spring disposed in said third chamber tending to retain said valve head seated, a rod connecting said valve head to the side of said diaphragm adjacent said fourth chamber whereby movement of said diaphragm toward said fourth chamber moves said valve head off said valve seat, a fourth passage disposed in said third and fourth blocks, said fourth passage having an inlet end communicating with said fourth chamber and an outlet end communicating with the region exterior of said fourth block, said fourth passage having an adjustable needle valve therein, and a fifth passage in said fourth block adapted to permit communication between said fifth chamber and said fourth passage at a point downstream of said adjustable valve.

Rsfcrences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 796,944 Stewart et al. Aug. 8, 1905 1,040,994 Bally Oct. 15, 1912 1,349,969 Leathers Aug. 17, 1920 1,523,156 Adams Jan. 13, 1925 1,554,502 Hulse Sept. 22, 1925 2,248,222 Ensign July 8, 1941 2,255,747 Jones Sept. 16, 1941 2,302,284 Abbott Nov. 17, 1942 2,357,318 Donaldson Sept. 5, 1944 2,518,307 Groebe Aug. 8, 1950 2,623,980 Toensfeldt Dec. 30, 1952 2,688,629 Wadley et al Sept. 7, 1954 

